that explanation was quickly picked up by president obama at a rally in northern virginia friday. >> governor romney was fact-checked by his own campaign. >> reporter: to counter opponents' effort as an out of touch executive, romney shifted to tell more of his own life story, including his friendship with a 14-year-old diagnosed with leukemia. >> there's a saying, clear eyes, full heart, can't lose. david couldn't lose. i love that young man. >> justin, this is actually ann romney calling. >> reporter: today ann visited phone banks in florida. >> i've been getting a lot of feedback about the debate? >> reporter: and looking to replicate his performance in the first debate, mitt romney is not wasting any time preparing for the second, squaring off against his sparring partner, his running mate paul ryan is preparing for this week's vice presidential debate and he is back home in wisconsin. >> peter alexander on the trail tonight in florida. thanks. let's bring in andrea mitchell now and she joins us from washington. andrea, governor romney had been held considered lukewarm in terms o